Zodiac [Director's Cut] [Blu-ray] [2007]

Zodiac was not so well received when it comes out but it is one of those films that gets better the more you watch it. And it is not because it is a multilayered film with different levels of meaning, but because it's a deeply compelling, uncommon and atmospheric film. You watch it again because you want to feel again that sense of anguish, cold, disorientation, obsessive quest for justice and truth, and that feeling of old events in a past era where the film puts you into, an era where there were no mobile, computers, global networks to make a research and link all the dots. And because the photography, the music, the sound, the actors and the director, the script did a splendid job to develop a story that unfolds with no easy solutions, fast editing, and takes its time to let you flow with it. They could not change it since it is based on true facts and so you know that it could not end differently or you might even know what is expecting you, but this does not make it pointless: you still vibrate and get thrilled, share the fear and anxiety and drama of the characters, and realize that the real point of the film does not come from how it ends, but from how it got to the end, starting from the beginning. Jackie Gillenhall gives his best performance ever, because you can feel what really matters to FIncher: the obsession and sense of disorientation when you face a mystery and try to get the right connection, but still feel lost. Blu ray is truly excellent, showing a fantastic hd transfer

What’ a film

Superb film, must watch again soon. Full of complicated investigations, intense, a seriously must watch film based on true events.

Yes, this does last 2 and a bit hours. No, all of that is not action, murders and sex. Yes, the acting, pacing, storytelling and script is excellent. Yes, it does last 2 and a bit hours. Basically- do not make the same mistake many of the 2* reviewers did- aka think that "Zodiac" would be a brainless, over-dramatic, simple thriller, wrapping up a formulaic story in no more than an hour and a half. "Zodiac" is perfectly paced- fans of "The Wire", or the "Alex Delaware" novels will appreciate the way the story unfolds, characters grow and flex, and details are integrated into what I think is a very entertaining film. Jake Gyllenhall(?) is first rate as the slightly socially strange newspaper cartoonist who develops an almost child like fascination with the "Zodiac", who proves dangerous and mysterious. The violent scenes are well formulated, especially the first, at the start. But it is the way the mystery eats at the main characters that really interests. To cut to a conclusion- if you want a quick shot of action, see.... ugh, Transformers. If you are willing to set aside time for an engrossing, highly likeable film then you can't go wrong with this gem.

This film is quite a long one, and as such it is easy to lose interest after a while. But the pace picks up late on in the film to give it a full and wholesome finish. The style of the film captures the period of the sixties through to the eighties very well indeed and we are quite easily transported back to the day of the Zodiac killer. The film is based upon Robert Graysmith's book of the same name, and is of course recounting actual events. As such the film makes everything astonishingly accurate, to the day etc. As such it puts a certain strain on the pace of the film, breaking it up a little too much, and the vast jumps in time from a few hours to several years can get a bit irritating after a while. I understand that this fragmented style is representative of the way in which the case developed, but as a film I don't quite think it works. Again, on a similar point, some of the characters are only briefly introduced and are not fully rounded and plausible and simply pass Graysmith by as he explores, but it means the audience has to make a lot of connections itself, which in this era of extended stupity some may find annoying and even difficult to do. But again that contributes to the whole style of the film and is probably how Graysmith felt as he was writing the book. Overall though, it is an interesting film and worth the watch if you can spare two and a half hours.

This is an outstanding film and I was really surprised that I had not seen it sooner. This is a story based upon the actual investigation to find the Zodiac killer who reportedly killed 37 people in San Francisco Bay area in the late '60s/'70s. Normally any film based on 'true crime' which I've seen has been quite low budget and a somewhat formulaic retelling of events, but this film is so fast paced and skillfully directed, with such good acting, that it reminds me a lot of "All The Presidents Men." Jake Gyllenhaal is outstanding as Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle, who takes it upon himself to find out who the Zodiac killer is. The other main actors are Robert Downey Jr as the lead reporter Paul Avery,(excellent as always) and Mark Ruffalo, who I've only seen in comedies, who is actually very good as Detective Toschi. The director is David Fincher who directed Se7en and Gone Girl. It's a film where you can't miss a second, and contains some really unnerving scenes, as well as (surprisingly) very funny moments. I see that this was the most reviewed film of 2007 after No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood, and it has won quite a few awards (eg the Palme D'Or at Cannes). I honestly believe that this film would have done better at the Box Office had it not been for the way in which this type of subject matter is generally portrayed, I only rushed to buy the DVD myself after having seen some of the film on TV! Even the special feature is very good, it was extremely interesting to see how much work and research went into the film. It's a must.

This is one of the most brilliant suspense films of recent times. I have watched it several times on the BBC and decided to buy it through Amazon (only £2.94). It fleshes out, very satisfyingly, the story of the Zodiac killer (perhaps the great unsolved American serial killer story). It has a tremendous cast led by Jake Gylenhaal, Robert Downey and Mark Ruffalo and there’s fantastic support from Anthony Edwards and the superb Brian Cox. This is based on a book by Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle, and his involvement in the case. If you have ever seen Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, we’ll this is the story that it was partly based on. There is no ‘well, this is a 44 magnum…’ type stuff. But it is gripping and is based on Graysmith’s book about the murders and the attempts to capture the Zodiac. Tremendous.

This is one of my favourite films of the past twelve months - not because I have some morbid obsession with true crime, but because it's an excellent example of the slow-burn thriller. As we've come to expect from David Fincher, the film is stylishly shot with a sharp, punchy script and a terrific soundtrack, and features top-drawer performances from the whole cast. There are several moments (including the murders themselves) which will send shivers down your spine, but the actual investigation is equally tense, even though we all know there can be no conclusion as the killings are still officially unsolved. Fincher also spares some time to focus on the human cost to the journalists and policemen who become obsessed with catching the killer, and the limitations and frustrations of pre-computer murder investigations. The only minor criticism I have is that the number of unseen suspects, victims and witnesses named throught the film make it occasionally difficult to recall exactly who is who. If you're the type who doesn't like to watch anything that requires actual thought or you're just looking for gore, avoid this like the plague. If you want an exceptional, intelligent thriller, you've found it.

Un bel film lo consiglio vivamente

Cette version est en anglais, il existe évidemment une version française mais dans d'autres éditions. L'affaire du Zodiac à San Francisco, ses rebondissements, ses erreurs, ses conflits de personnages est extrêmement bien reconstituée ici avec une équipe d'acteurs de 1ere classe, et David Fincher aux manettes. On enrage de les voir se casser la tête à résoudre l'énigme de l'identification de cet assassin, sans résultat. Enfin, il y a eu des pistes, mais aura t'on un jour le fin mot de l'histoire ?

Muy buena película, imprescindible, mejor imagen y audio en castellano. Altamente recomendable su compra, y no solamente por el precio.

Great movie with on the edge and eery scenes. Bluray quality is excellent. I would recommend it as a must see movie. Even the packaging was eery looking...as if it was sent by a questionable mailer. I will keep the movie just as it was sent to me.

This zodiac blu-ray is from the UK and its not the us version. The picture quality is crystal clear and this little jewel worth every penny! Thanks David Fincher for this awsome movie and its a must for any ''good'' blu-ray collection! Enjoy!